The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association will offer free family photography sessions next month in Jefferson City.
The organization has scheduled to hold a full day of photo taking sessions for foster, adoptive and kinship families on April 1, according to a CMFCAA news release. The location for the Jefferson City sitting has yet to be announced. The family portraits are going to be on 10-by-10-inch canvases.
Each photo-taking session is set to last at most 30 minutes, with the photographer taking photos of the family and individual children. Interested families can sign up free of charge at signupgenius.com/go/10C094AA8A829A1F8C07-family, according to the news release.
All time slots between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. have been filled already, according to the online sign-up form. Interested families can email CMFCAA Communications Manager Gerry Tritz to get on the waiting list or be notified for the next photography event, according to the news release.
CMFCAA will hold similar sessions March 18 in Rolla, as well as March 25 in Columbia and Osage Beach. Some time slots are still open for those locations, according to the sign-up form.
The Rolla sitting is expected to take place at the Lions Club Park, 1061 S. Bishop Ave.; the Columbia sitting at the Shelter Gardens, 1817 W. Broadway; and the Osage Beach sitting at Studio T Images, 1104 Runabout Drive.
These events are only open to relevant families in the 24 counties the organization serves: Audrain, Benton, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Crawford, Cooper, Cole, Dallas, Dent, Gasconade, Howard, Laclede, Miller, Maries, Moniteau, Montgomery, Morgan, Osage, Pettis, Phelps, Pulaski, Randolph and Texas.
Apart from giving the participating families their photos, the organization also plans to use of the photos taken to decorate its offices in Central Missouri, according to the news release.
The organization is a nonprofit that is founded in 2007 to provide a variety of services to foster, adoptive and kinship families in Central Missouri, such as training for foster and adoptive parents, according to its website. It served 1,276 children in 2022, according to the organization’s online magazine.
In 2022, Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi announced partnership with German company Leica, which manufactures cameras and optical lenses, to jointly develop camera-focused smartphones. The first smartphone with imaging system co-engineered by Xiaomi and Leica, named Xiaomi 12S Ultra, launched soon after. In a quick run, the company introduced the Xiaomi 13 Pro – its second-generation camera-focused smartphone. While the first-generation model never made it outside China, the Xiaomi 13 Pro made a global debut in February this year. It is the first smartphone to come out from the Xiaomi-Leica partnership that will be available in India, albeit in limited quantities only.
The Xiaomi 13 Pro is a second-generation smartphone with imaging system co-engineered by Xiaomi and Leica. It has a triple-camera array on the back, featuring 50-megapixel sensors of different configurations and focal lengths – 14mm (ultra-wide), 23mm (wide), and 75mm (telephoto). On the front, the phone has a 32MP camera sensor.
The Xiaomi 13 Pro covers length and breadth in terms of imaging-related features, but it is the ease-of-use that the smartphone has going for it. It is important because other smartphones with high-end camera systems require some technology awareness to deliver optimal results. The Xiaomi 13 Pro, however, is different because it simplifies the imaging experience for the users and allows them to make the most from its pro-grade camera system.
For example, the first interaction with the camera opens a pop-up that educates the users about the two available looks – Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant. The pop-up appears just once, while opening the camera app for the first time, but it does the job of simplifying the future experience for the user. The authentic look keeps the colours and other compositions closer to real for natural appeal. In the vibrant look, there are pronounced colours besides improved contrast and dynamic range in the images. Xiaomi made sure to make it easy for the users to switch between the two by including the option on the top-side menu on the camera interface.
The Xiaomi-Leica partnership in imaging does not end with just two photographic styles; there are new filters, watermarks, and shutter sound. Besides, there is a master-lens system in the portrait mode. There are four Leica-tuned filters – vivid, natural, black & white natural, and black & white high contrast. Simple to use, these filters add zing to the images and open options for the users to explore and experiment.
Likewise, the master-lens system in the portrait mode lets users go beyond generic without getting into the complexities of changing lenses. The system has four options – Black & White (35mm), Swirly Bokeh (50mm), Portrait (75mm), and Soft Focus (90mm). Each of these deliver a novel experience, unmatched by any other smartphone – especially in terms of portrait experience.
From ultra-wide-angle to close-ups, half-body portraits, and zoomed shots, the Xiaomi 13 Pro has a versatile camera system that impresses on all fronts, irrespective of lighting conditions.
The Leica partnership is limited to photography, but videos are not after thought either. The Xiaomi 13 Pro is the first smartphone in the Android space to support 4K 30fps video recording in Dolby Vision format. The video quality is good, but can be improved.
For a camera-centric premium smartphone, the Xiaomi 13 Pro delivers on core competencies with clear focus on making everyday photography experience easy and fun. On other parameters, it is as good.
The Xiaomi 13 Pro has a bright and responsive 6.73-inch 10-bit AMOLED screen (1440p) of 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It is a two-side curved screen with support for commonly used high dynamic range formats – Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR, and HLG. The dazzling screen is complemented by stereo speakers powered by Dolby Atmos. The speakers are loud and clear, but lack balance. Nevertheless, if not better, the experience is on-par with other smartphones in the premium segment.
Performance is top-notch and consistent, but the phone tends to warm up after extended usage. Though a camera-focused smartphone, the Xiaomi 13 Pro does not disappoint with gaming and multimedia experience. It is, however, a bit heavy and bulky and that came in way as a hindrance to the otherwise stellar experience. Speaking of experience, the Xiaomi 13 Pro boots Android 13 operating system-based MIUI 14 interface. It is a brand new interface with new widgets, wallpapers, and tools for customisation. There are efforts visible in the UI with regard to bloatware, but these remain. The bloatware, therefore, is less of an issue here but the subtle third-party ads placement in system apps is a sign of worry because these hamper the experience that one expects from a premium smartphone.
Rounding up the package is a good on-battery time of about a day on mixed usage. Power-and-graphic intensive workloads drain the battery, and there the phone’s 120W fast wired charging proves efficient. The phone also supports 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Verdict
Priced at Rs 79,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB on-board storage, the Xiaomi 13 Pro offers a novel imaging experience on top of a premium package. The smartphone makes everyday photography easy and fun. It opens new fronts in smartphone imaging for both amateurs and professionals to explore and experiment with. The camera-focused utilities make it what it is without casting a shadow on other parameters – design, display, performance, and battery life – where the phone shines as bright.
The “Dawson’s Creek” alum’s wife called him a “safe space” for their kids.
James Van Der Beek celebrated his 46th birthday recently with those who mean the most to him: his wife and their six children.
The “Dawson’s Creek” alum shared a photo of himself and his kiddos to Instagram on Wednesday alongside a poetic caption in which he said “middle-age rocks.”
“46 trips around the sun…” he wrote. “I’ve been feeling into a new relationship with time, lately. I used to try to bend it to my will: Speed it up, squeeze more into it, short cut it. Or panic at its passing. Or just ignore it altogether.
“But recently, I’ve found myself happier the more I’m in touch with reverence, and deference to time. Yes, it CAN be stretched. It can fly…” he continued. “But this planet, this dimension, is governed by time: Trees grow at their pace. The earth spins at a near constant. And the more reverence I can find for all of it, the more life becomes a living prayer of appreciation. For life. For nature. For the great cosmic mystery of which we can sometimes can catch the edges.”
Van Der Beek said that in coming to this realization, he found it became “easier … to root in the present, open to the perfection of a process I was never meant to control.”
His wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, whom he married in 2010, also shared an Instagram post for her husband’s special day, calling him a “safe space” for their little ones.
“@vanderjames, the safe space for all these daughters of yours to be fully embodied, the safe space for our sons to be vulnerable in who they are, sensitivities, strength, kindness… my person and partner in life — the one that I untether and rebraid with,” she wrote.
“I love you. The kids love you. We are all so grateful for you and who you are,” she continued. “Happy 46th birthday!”
She added, “And might I add…. you’re the hottest you’ve ever been. Ever.”
The Van Der Beek family relocated from California to Texas in 2020.
Here are the 35 winning photos of the Travel Photographer Of The Year 2022. Out of the 20,000 submissions, the snapshots of one of the world’s last two remaining Northern White rhinos bagged the top price.
The Overall winner for 2022 is won by Matjaz Krivic from Slovenia for his series “Northern White rhinos”. Here are the judges comments “The portfolio of the 33-year-old Najin – one of the world’s last two remaining Northern White rhinos – and her keeper, Zachary Mutai, in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya tells this sad story beautifully and sensitively. The images are tender and intimate. The portfolio of the erupting Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma focuses not so much on the lava flow but its impact on the surrounding landscape, encapsulated by the abandoned horse in search of food’ – fascinating visual story-telling.”
Scroll down and inspire yourself. Click on the full gallery link to view complete set of photographs.
You can find more info about Travel Photographer Of The Year:
#1 Overall Winner: Travel Photographer Of The Year 2022: Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia
#2 Green Planet, Blue Planet, Special Mention: Scott Portelli, Australia
#3 The Art Of Monochrome, Runner-Up: Dana Allen, USA
#4 Water, Winner: Alexej Sachov, Germany
#5 Winner, Best Single Image In A Deserts To Rainforests Portfolio: John Seager, UK
#6 Green Planet, Blue Planet, Special Mention: Xianghe Liu, China
#7 Water, Commended: Weizhong Deng, Singapore
#8 Winner: Best Single Image In A Green Planet, Blue Planet Portfolio: Panos Laskarakis, Greece
#9 Green Planet, Blue Planet, Special Mention: Yaron Schmid, USA
#10 Winner, The Art Of Monochrome, Roie Galitz, Israel
#11 The Art Of Monochrome, Runner-Up: Dana Allen, USA
#12 Green Planet, Blue Planet, Special Mention: Yaron Schmid, USA
#13 The Art Of Monochrome, Special Mention: Artur Stankiewicz, Poland
#14 The Art Of Monochrome, Runner-Up: Dana Allen, USA
#15 The Art Of Monochrome, Special Mention: Quim Fàbregas Elias, Spain
During the pandemic lockdown, many of us dealt with increased anxiety and depression, given the uncertainty surrounding our lives as we had known them and the state of the world. Some COVID-safe coping mechanisms became popular, such as outdoor activities and walks and homebound hobbies such as gardening and baking.
As we transitioned back to conventional work schedules and lifestyles, we have tried to maintain some of these practices and revisit the peace they brought us while now being short on time again.
So how can we balance the urgencies of capitalistic society calling us back to business while trying not to forget the better lessons of pandemic living, i.e., the need for self-care and self-appreciation? A couple of recent trends involve efficient mashups of mindfulness-related techniques but in time-efficient bursts, often enabled by technology or modern commerce.
Mindfulness is an increasingly popular term for a therapeutic technique that emphasizes attention to the present without critique or intensive thought, or judgment. It originates in Zen Buddhist philosophy and practices, where monks are trained to meditate, usually in peaceful, natural settings. They focus solely on benign, essential things like breath, heartbeat, or other simple sensations or sounds.
Most of us do not have time or inclination to live the ascetic isolated lifestyle of a Buddhist monk, but we can still incorporate aspects of the mindset into any free moment. Numerous phone apps now provide brief meditation and mindfulness training with an easy-to-use and time-limited interface. But we can also do even simpler things that don’t require directive training or external guidance.
One thing I started doing during my pandemic walks was using my iPhone to take snapshots of anything that caught my eye. Usually, scenes of nature, buds blooming, sunlight hitting a retention pond, geese flaring their wings, unusual cloud formations, you name it. Nothing earth-shattering or original, but that was okay. Taking each photo helped me feel like, at that moment, I was solely focused on the beauty of something ordinary and every day, something I walked by daily without previously noticing.
When I posted those photos to social media, I was surprised by how often they would get likes. I realized other people were also sharing in that moment of beauty in the ordinary, creating peace in their busy Facebook or Twitter timelines. It enhanced my appreciation for the neighborhood I lived in (and was somewhat even trapped in) as I found new angles and objects to capture, even if the routes I took were the same day in and day out. There also was no emphasis on fancy techniques or equipment, or expertise. I just wanted to take pretty pictures and share them, and that was enough for everyone.
When tragic news hit my household in late 2021, I did not stop the walks or the photographs. If anything, I desperately continued them as though they were the sole beacons of solace and constancy I had left. Their simplicity helped me ride through stormy waves of grief as I snapped and posted each placid scene, searching for some brief calm amid falling shards of sorrow. I have continued practicing to maintain hope and beauty in the darkness.
Other similar practices don’t even have to involve the outdoors or major interruptions of routine. In South Korea, a trend called “hitting mung” has arisen, where cafes are set up with vibrant video visuals or music while one sips a coffee or tea as a form of mini-meditation during the conventional coffee break. This setup is designed to encourage a “mung” state of mind, which roughly translates to a harmonious blankness in thought. The Danish are also known for encouraging a similar café culture tied to the concept of hygge, which roughly translates to coziness. The practice of a simple coffee with a delicious pastry is considered a therapeutic way to cope with dark winters.
While one concern remains, our societal inability to emphasize work-life balance and avoid burnout in our cost-driven schedules, it doesn’t hurt to implement these stopgap methods for momentary peace and self-care when we can and empower ourselves to emphasize and take charge of our well-being whenever possible. It is nice to know that a brief and simple option for some relief is available, as long as we “zen” into it.
Careful planning – and a bit of luck – paid off handsomely for a photographer who set out to capture this week’s Worm moon over Llandudno. The resulting image has vowed social media audiences with its otherworldly appeal.
Anglesey-based Tom Last, 56, specialises in astrophotography and has previously captured spectacular sun and moon rises over places like Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Tryfan and Bangor Pier. For his latest project, he chose the Conwy seaside resort of Llandudno which, being so low-lying, required ultra-precision.
Tom, from Llandegfan, also captured time-lapse images of the moon’s rising over the town and beyond the Great Orme. For the moon to take centre-stage, looming huge over the town, he used an 800mm prime lens positioned 16km away on Lleiniog beach between Beaumaris and Penmon on Anglesey’s southeast coast
READ MORE: Some drivers aren’t aware ‘magic button’ can help defrost your car in seconds
This gave him a direct view across the sea to Llandudno’s West Shore. To ensure he was in the right place at the right time, he used apps to calculate the moon’s trajectory and his line of sight.
“Sometimes you need to scout a location in advance to make sure there isn’t a tree blocking your line of sight or someone hasn’t built a new house recently,” he said. “With the Llandudno image, I went to Lleiniog at midday, fired off a few shots, then popped back home for six hours – I live just 10 minutes down the road.”
Tom continued: “The great thing about astrophotography is that it’s entirely predictable – you don’t have to wait for days for a snow leopard to pass by. What isn’t predictable is the weather. For the Llandudno photo work, I needed a clear day without a cloud anywhere along the coast from Bangor to the Wirral.
“This image simply would not have been possible on the days either side of Tuesday, when I took the picture, as it was too cloudy. You have to give it a go and hope you get lucky.
“So many times in the last five years I’ve been thwarted at the last moment. There’s a saying in this job ….. you’ll never get a good photo if you never go out, and if you do go out, you probably still won’t get a good shot!”
His efforts paid off big time at Llandudno with a photo that will get local tourism chiefs beating a path to his door. “OMG!” exclaimed one woman when she saw it. Another said: “I’m in shock, such a beautiful photo.”
Dad-of-two Tom runs his own Llangefni-based company, TDL Event Services, which organises mass participation activities such as marathons and triathlons. His photography, he said, is “just a hobby” – one that continues to scale new heights despite his colour blindness. For more examples of his eye-catching work, visit Tom’s Instagram page or Pixels site.
Usually, there are 12 full moons each year but 2023 will have 13, including four supermoons and one blue moon. Supermoons occur when the moon’s orbit is closest to earth, making it appear to be about 30% bigger than at other times.
Monthly moons were named in the US and so follow American customs and conventions. Native Americans called the March moon – the last full moon of winter – the Worm moon after the worm trails that appeared on newly thawed ground. Other names include Chaste moon, Death moon, Crust moon and Sap moon, after the tapping of the maple trees.
Love North Wales as much as we do? Sign up to our newsletter for all the best stories from the region.
Each time she completes a piece of art, Tawny Chatmon performs a quiet rite.
“I say a prayer over the work before sending it out into the world, so that it does what I intended — to positively impact everyone who views it,” said Chatmon, a photography-based artist in Annapolis.
Public reaction suggests that her prayers are answered. Chatmon’s art has appeared in museums and festivals from New York to Vienna. Her works grace the homes of celebrities like Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, and have sold for as much as $55,000.
Chatmon’s best efforts — multilayered fusions of photographs and paint — portray confident young Black girls, with exaggerated hairstyles, wearing resplendent garb with intricate designs. She paints their gowns, flecked with 24K gold leaf, onto the photos, a painstaking process that can take months.
Her creations, she said, are both a nod to Black heritage and a retort to those critical of the embellished coiffures trending among Black girls today.
“I want to portray that Black children are precious, Black hair is beautiful and the Black family is strong,” said Chatmon, 43, who is married and the mother of three.
Tawny Chatmon, photographer and mixed media artist, with “Remnants/Peace and Joy Are Birthrights of All Beings,” 2021-2022, at the Banneker-Douglass Museum. Chatmon, of Annapolis, created the work with 24-karat gold leaf, paper and acrylic on archival pigment print. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun )
It’s not the career she envisioned, growing up in Prince George’s County. Then, acting came first.
“I told my high school teacher that I would thank him [on camera] for the first Oscar that I received,” she said. When the stage fancy cooled, Chatmon’s parents bought her a 35 mm camera that she used to begin doing small commercial photography jobs for $50 apiece.
“Photography just grew on me,” she said. “At first, it was something that put food on the table. That changed in 2004, when my son was born. Now, my camera had a purpose; it was in his face every day. I could capture every amazing little thing that he was doing.”
Friends and family liked her work and had her chronicle their kids. Chatmon’s reputation grew. Businesses took note; both the YMCA and National Education Association sought her savvy. Motherhood, she said, had lit the fire:
The Morning Sun
Daily
Get your morning news in your e-mail inbox. Get all the top news and sports from the baltimoresun.com.
“I went from not even thinking of photographing children to [knowing] that was all I wanted to do.”
[ Annapolis artist Tawny Chatmon is a voice of ‘Black resistance and joy’ at Banneker-Douglass exhibit ]
If a brand-new life gave her art meaning, a tragic death gave it soul. In 2010, Chatmon’s father, James, succumbed to prostate cancer.
“He wasn’t afraid to die, but of his grandchildren not remembering him,” she said. “I photographed [the upbeat times of] my dad’s nine-month battle, from him and my mom singing to him playing ‘Barbies’ with my daughter — thinking we’d have a story to encourage Black men to take prostate cancer seriously. I never assumed the worst would occur.”
His passing helped sharpen Chatmon’s focus.
“Death became real for me; I thought, ‘My life has to have some kind of purpose.’ I told my husband that I couldn’t do commercial photography anymore.”
Now her art celebrates all of Black culture, through the lens of its children and their proud ethnic roots.
“I feel I am contributing to the world my kids are living in,” Chatmon said. “And when I die, I am leaving something important behind.”
Eye on Nature, RTÉ’s wildlife photography competition, has returned for the third year, giving wildlife photographers across Ireland the opportunity to showcase their immense talent and highlight Ireland’s biodiversity and the beauty of the natural world around us.
Both amateur and professional photographers are welcome to enter photographs of landscapes, flora, and fauna in the competition for a chance to win a cash prize of €1,000.
Director of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland Dr. Matthew Jebb returns as a judge for the third year. He will be joined on the judging panel by Niall Hatch from Birdwatch Ireland and award-winning nature-photographer Sheena Jolley.
We caught up with Sheena ahead of the competition’s closing date to share some top tips for budding photographers.
“I’ve always been into nature and I’ve always been into art so the combination of the two sits really well,” says the award-winning photographer.
It’s intuition, it’s talent, but above all, it’s luck. It’s RTÉ Eye On Nature, Ireland’s wildlife photography competition. Follow Mooney Goes Wild on @RTERadio1 for updates. Presented by RTÉ with @opwireland and @NBGGlasnevinOPWpic.twitter.com/Yvo4g5bAnp
The Wicklow woman studied the artform full time at North Oxfordshire College of Art from 1999-2001, and now uses her work to increase the awareness and appreciation of our natural world.
Her work has been purchased by collectors in Europe and America and has featured many times in a number of National Publications. In 2009 one of her pieces made it to the finals of the Veolia Environment Wildlife photographer of the year competition.
Reflecting on advice she would pass on to amateur photographers, Jolley says that they should start shooting with “whatever camera they’ve got” as the best way to learn is by doing.
“Just get out and do it,” she insists. “You should also learn about your subject, know what you’re photographing, and learn their behaviours – that way you’ll get closer to nature before it takes evasive action.”
“Preparation is key,” she adds. “To know when you’re going, what type of light you might expect, the lenses you may need. If you have an idea of what you’re trying to capture and whether it involves fast movement, you have an idea of how to prepare your camera but also how you can make fast adjustments. You need to know your camera.”
“Time to Duck” – Fine art photograph of Shelduck about to be disturbed by a Grey Heron taken in a quarry lake in Irish Cement in Limerick. Delighted to be exhibiting my wildlife images at the Blue House Gallery in Schull until 20th July #wildlifephotography#irishcement#irishartpic.twitter.com/MNxi7R30rc
When it comes to nature, Jolley says patience is key as she would spend days camping out in order to get her shot. If you’re not quite at that level, though, she insists that you can simply visit your local park on spend time in your garden.
“The key is to be there very early when the weather is good,” she says. “Aim for that golden hour, when the sun is low. It’s dawn and dusk, and you’ll get maybe a more emotional image and nicer detail in the golden light.”
As well as capturing some spectacular images, Jolley says that spending time outdoors and observing the natural world can be a huge personal benefit.
“I love being outside and being in touch with nature. Yes, it’s calming but you’re also thinking of what you’re doing and observing behviour and trying to catch that magic moment.”
The closing date for entries to Eye on Nature is midnight on Wednesday 22 March 2023. Entries can be submitted to www.rte.ie/eyeonnature. Terms and Conditions can be found here.
The Northern Lights, or aurora as they are also known, most recently lit up the sky in North Yorkshire last week on February 27.
Nicole Carr, who runs Scarborough based astronomy/astrophotography business Astro Dog with her partner, Simon Scott, is regularly on the lookout for these displays.
She has been a dedicated ‘aurora hunter’ for eight years.
The couple, who live in Scarborough, travel to the Yorkshire coast in search of the aurora joined by their trusted dog, Luna.
Fascinated by space and night sky
Nicole said she has always had a fascination with space.
“For as long as I remember, I’ve been trying to capture photographs of the moon and night sky,” she said.
Nicole first spotted the aurora in 2015 from Scalby Mills cliffs, in Scarborough.
The first aurora Nicole seen in 2015 from Scalby Mills cliffs, in Scarborough (Image: Astro Dog)
“For so long it had been a dream of mine to witness the aurora, and I would have never thought I’d be able to see those beautiful lights dancing in the night sky, let alone above the shores of our hometown, Scarborough, which made it all the more special,” she said.
“It was a truly exciting, memorable and magical experience – and an absolutely incredible sight to behold.”
Read next:
Now, Astro Dog regularly hosts stargazing experiences in Dalby Forrest.
The Milkyway captured by Nicole from Flamborough (Image: Astro Dog)
These events include guided tours, and the chance for visitors to use the team’s telescopes for a closer look at the night sky.
There is also an immersive 360 degree planetarium dome used to teach guests about the history of astronomy.
How do aurora displays happen?
Nicole explained that aurora displays happen when the sun releases streams of charged particles known as ‘solar wind’, which interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and different elements in its atmosphere.
During this interaction, the charged particles meet gases in our atmosphere, energise them, and cause them to emit photons of light.
Nicole said seeing the aurora as south as North Yorkshire is a rare event, with the chances growing even thinner the further south you go – but she added that many people would be surprised at how often they can be seen in the county.
Her favourite locations to catch the displays include Scalby Mills cliffs, Scarborough; the cliffs in Burniston Nab, Scarborough; and the coastal areas around Whitby.
Top tips for catching the aurora
Nicole shared some of her top tips for catching the aurora.
1. Look out for a clear sky and find a good view
Firstly, she said you need clear skies (or at least partially clear skies) to the north to be able to see the aurora.
Although, this is not a guarantee as the aurora has been seen when the sky is cloudy between gaps.
“Perseverance can pay on cloudy nights,” said Nicole.
She added that you also need to find a good view of the northern horizon with as little light pollution as possible to compliment this.
2. Let your eyes adjust
An important step is letting your eyes adjust to the darkness so you can see the displays.
The aurora on September 27 in Scarborough (Image: Astro Dog)
Nicole said you can adjust your eyes to the night sky by not looking at any source of light for around 15-20 minutes.
3. Bring a camera (your phone will do)
Even if you can’t see the aurora after adjusting your eyes, a camera can reveal the lights when they are active.
Camera sensors are much more sensitive to the low light, with even a phone camera able to capture the displays.
The aurora captured on Nicole’s mobile phone (Image: Astro Dog)
They can also capture light over extended periods of time with long exposure times, which is typically the way most professional images of the aurora are taken.
4. Monitor solar activity
For a heads up on when displays are likely to occur, Nicole said it’s important to monitor social activity.
You can monitor solar activity and satellites using apps, but Nicole said the information can be difficult to understand at first.
The andromeda galaxy taken by Nicole (Image: Astro Dog)
Given this, Astro Dog issues ‘aurora alerts’ from its Facebook page.
“We always do our best to try and help people understand the Northern Lights and alert people if the Aurora is visible in Scarborough,” she said.
5. Wrap up warm!
When chasing the aurora, you might be in for a long wait so it’s important to wrap up warm.
Nicole said it took six hours for her to capture the aurora display on February 27 from Scarborough, so you need to be prepared to stay outside for long enough to catch a show.
More information about Astro Dog can be found at: https://astro-dog.co.uk/
William L. is an experienced 360º photographer based in the United States who has a keen eye for capturing stunning spherical panoramas. William took his first spherical panorama back in 2007, but it wasn’t until a few years later that he truly delved into the hobby. Even after all these years, William is still constantly learning new techniques and improving his craft.
During the month of February, William published an impressive 54 panoramas, showcasing his dedication and commitment to his craft. Some of his best work includes “Medicine Lake Glass Flow” in California, “Clear Creek Summit” in Idaho (which was hit hard by the 2016 Pioneer Fire), or “Jim Hell Rock” in Montana, you can enjoy some of them below.
William’s photographic interests are broad and varied, encompassing everything from mountain summits and glacial geomorphology to abandoned ruins and places in decay. He is especially drawn to offbeat locations that are often only known by locals. His extensive travels have taken him across the United States and Canada, and he has captured breathtaking panoramas from both countries. If you’re a fan of panoramic photography or simply appreciate stunning imagery, be sure to check out William’s work on our platform. You’re sure to be impressed by his talents and inspired by the beauty of the world around us.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/P6Z73OCUNBDY7JMLBLV4SQEGWE.jpg)
